“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.” Luke 2:19-20
Our firstborn child, Ashley, came into the world on a very cold December day in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Christmas has never been the same at our house. Dana and I experienced the profundity of a simple Scriptural truth in a personal way, “Unto us a child is born.” I recently asked Dana what she counts as her favorite Christmas. I was confident of her answer before she said the words, “The Christmas Ashley was born.” I love hearing Ashley sing the powerful words of a contemporary Christmas song, “A Baby Changes Everything.” No truer statement can be made.
I cannot recall a single gift Dana and I gave to each other or received from family or friends that Christmas, but years later we still celebrate the birth of our firstborn child with great joy. We received a little package from Heaven that day, and she continues to be a treasure, growing more valuable to us with every passing day, as we watch what God is doing in and through her.
Mary was an unusual lady, trusted by God to be the recipient and the nurturer of His Son. Rather than pointing out her special privilege and taking credit for the honor, Mary pondered “all these things” in her heart. She knew she had a role to play in this drama of redemption, but the story was about her son, not Mary. Wise men still follow her lead, and worship her Son.
I cannot begin to know a mother’s love, but I lay claim to some small measure of understanding of Mary’s capacity to treasure all that was taking place surrounding the birth of her child. Dana and I share precious memories of the special occasion of our child’s birth. Still, it went completely unnoticed by most people, and it remains unremembered and uncelebrated by them to this day. Their loss is our treasure.
Mary treasured the experience of the birth of her child, not placing them in a scrapbook, but pondering them in the deepest recesses of her soul. Mary drew a deep sense of meaning and purpose from a personal relationship with her child.
Since that lonely night in a Bethlehem when a small group of shepherds came to honor her Son, billions of others have found meaning and purpose by meeting Jesus. The Christmas story told by the shepherds is still a powerful message, and many more need to hear it.
The tiniest gestures of kindness expressed towards our child touched our hearts. Recalling the people who ministered to us, making a big deal about the birth of our baby still bring smiles to our faces, and tears to our eyes. The people of the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma were our shepherds in so many ways. In the middle of busy schedules, and full lives, and at one of the busiest times of the year, they came running at the good news of Ashley’s birth. God bless them, one and all.
This Christmas we find ourselves pondering the goodness of God, and marveling at His willingness to use us to do whatever He has in mind for us. Two thousand year later, the Christmas story is still about His Son, Jesus. Dana and I have a role to play in this great story of redemption, but like Mary, we are not the lead actors in the Christmas story. The script of The Scripture reveals Jesus is the reason for the season.
A personal relationship with Jesus gives meaning and a sense of purpose to our lives every day of the year. The longer we live, the more we understand the treasure God gave to us, through His Son.
A recent news report indicated the average American will spend over $800.00 on Christmas this year, and credit card debt will rise in homes all over the country. Spending treasure on gifts is often a quest for meaning and purpose. Only Jesus offers both, and neither one will be found on the discount table.
The gift of salvation is free, but not cheap. It cost God His Son. The cradle of a manger was the beginning of a story of redemption that pointed Jesus to the cross. He died there to cover your sins and mine with His blood. His death, not His birth leads the way to His Father through the forgiveness of our sins. I never fully understood the price paid for my salvation until I held my child in my arms. I realized I don’t have the kind of love God offer to others. Thank God He does.
NOTE TO SELF: Never allow the natural to rob you of the treasure of the supernatural. Childbirth is so natural, and yet in God hands it is so supernatural. God placed His handprints on the birth of His Son. Don’t miss the handprints of God on your life. Treasure them. Prayer will improve your vision, allowing you to see His hands at work.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!